started · updated
Colombia earthquake kills 265 and leaves thousands missing
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, August 10, 2026, near San José del Palmar, Chocó. The disaster has resulted in at least 265 deaths and approximately 3,500 injuries. While official reports list 496 people missing, unofficial databases suggest the number could be as high as 4,200.
President Abelardo de la Espriella has declared an economic state of emergency to facilitate reconstruction efforts. The earthquake has affected more than 53,000 people, with 140 buildings completely collapsed and tens of thousands of homes damaged. The most severe destruction is concentrated in the departments of Chocó, Risaralda, and Valle del Cauca, impacting cities such as Cali, Pereira, Manizales, Armenia, and Quibdó.
In response to the crisis, the government has appointed David Tamayo as the new head of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD). International rescue teams from the United States, Israel, Ecuador, and El Salvador are being deployed to assist local efforts. In Cali, donation centers have been established at Plazoleta Jairo Varela, Escuela Nacional del Deporte, and the Banco de Alimentos de Cali to collect water, food, and rescue equipment.
Entities
Abelardo De La Espriella · Cali · Colombia · David Tamayo · National Unit for Disaster Risk Management · UNGRD
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 4 SOURCES] 140 buildings have completely collapsed and tens of thousands of homes are damaged. www.halternerzeitung.de · www.volksfreund.de · www.saarbruecker-zeitung.de · www.wz.de
- [● 4 SOURCES] A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday. www.halternerzeitung.de · www.volksfreund.de · www.saarbruecker-zeitung.de · www.wz.de
- [● 4 SOURCES] David Tamayo has been appointed as the new head of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD). www.halternerzeitung.de · www.volksfreund.de · www.saarbruecker-zeitung.de · www.wz.de
- [● 5 SOURCES] At least 265 people have died and approximately 3,500 are injured. www.halternerzeitung.de · www.volksfreund.de · www.saarbruecker-zeitung.de · www.wz.de · www.zdfheute.de
- [● 5 SOURCES] Officially, 496 people are missing, though unofficial databases list around 4,200 missing. www.halternerzeitung.de · www.volksfreund.de · www.saarbruecker-zeitung.de · www.wz.de · www.zdfheute.de
- [● 4 SOURCES] The President declared an economic state of emergency to fund reconstruction. www.halternerzeitung.de · www.volksfreund.de · www.saarbruecker-zeitung.de · www.wz.de
- [● 4 SOURCES] The earthquake is a tragedy of great proportions. www.halternerzeitung.de · www.volksfreund.de · www.saarbruecker-zeitung.de · www.wz.de
- [● 4 SOURCES] More than 53,000 people are affected by the disaster. www.halternerzeitung.de · www.volksfreund.de · www.saarbruecker-zeitung.de · www.wz.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] The most severe damage was concentrated in the departments of Chocó, Risaralda, and Valle del Cauca. diariodelcauca.com.co · www.diariodelsur.com.co · extra.com.co
- [● 3 SOURCES] Donation centers in Cali include Plazoleta Jairo Varela, Escuela Nacional del Deporte, and the Banco de Alimentos de Cali. diariodelcauca.com.co · www.diariodelsur.com.co · extra.com.co
- [● 3 SOURCES] The earthquake's epicenter was located near San José del Palmar, Chocó. diariodelcauca.com.co · www.diariodelsur.com.co · extra.com.co
- [● 3 SOURCES] Authorities are requesting water, food, rescue equipment, and essential items. diariodelcauca.com.co · www.diariodelsur.com.co · extra.com.co